Electric switch



Aug. 10, 1948. w, SCHWD 2,446,789

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 1944 WILLIAM .ScHMlD INVENTOR BYM, a/Ma 22 6 -z Z5 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 10, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,446,789 ELECTRIC swrron William Sohmid, Bronson, Mich. Application June 1a, 1944, Serial No. 540,042

Claims. 1

This invention relates to electric switches, and is particularly adapted for embodiment in footoperated switches such as are used for controlling the headlights of an automotive vehicle. The principal object of the invention is the provision of new and improved electric switches of these types.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purposes of illustration, one embodiment of the invention and in this drawing:

Figure 1 shows a foot-operated switch embodying the invention, the casing and certain other parts being in section, to show the switch proper and its operating mechanism in elevation;

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the parts in an operating position; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction 01' the arrows, a part of the switch casing having been removed.

The switch may comprise a metal plate ll, fragmentarily shown, which may be fastened to the footboard of an automotive vehicle, or other support. The switch proper is contained in a casing ii fastened in any suitable way to the plate l0. Suitably supported by the casing II, and in this instance forming a wall thereof, is an insulating base i2 which carries relatively stationary contact means l3 and relatively movable contact means I4.

The relatively stationary contact means I3 comprises two spring contacts l5, l5, here shown as of arcurate form, extending toward each other from their places of support on the insulating base i2. The contacts l5, I6 are so bent or formed that the free ends thereof tend to spring away from the base i2. The relatively movable contact means l4 comprises a contact I'I adapted to cooperate with the contacts I5, IS. The under side of the contact I! is desirably slightly rounded, as may be seen in Figure 4.

The relatively stationary contacts l5, ii are here shown as having enlarged terminal parts [8, [9 which are tightly held to the base by tubular rivets 20, 2 I. Each rivet is intern-ally threaded for receiving the respective screws 22, 23 whereby connecting wires (not shown) may be held in mechanical and electrical contact with the respective tubular rivets, and hence electrically connected to the respective contacts IS, IS. It will be understood that any other suitable form of connector may replace the screws 22, 23.

The relatively stationary contacts have beveled the contact and extending through respective apertures 29 in the base l2, the terminal end 30 of each tongue being bent at approximately right angles to the part 28. With the relatively movable contact II in engagement with the relatively stationary contact l5, as shown in Figures 1 and 2,

.the contact !5 is flexed toward the base I2, so

that the part 28 of the stop means 26 is moved through the aperture 29, and the part 30 is moved out of engagement with the base, as shown in Figure 2.,

The relatively movable contact means I4 is here shown as comprising a central metal portion 3| on which the contact i1 forms an integral radial projection. The central portion 3| has an aperture through which is disposed a pivot pin 32 having a head 33 hearing against the central portion 3!. The pin 32 is disposed through an aperture in a metal plate 35, and the end 34 of the pin is peened over; The base i2 may be provided with a hole or recess 36 for accommodating the peened over end 34. The pin 32 is desirably, but not necessarily, sufficiently peened over so that the movable contact means I4 is so pulled against the plate enough so that moveend portions 24, 25 to facilitate movement of the ment of the relatively movable contact means about the pivot pin 32 is frictionally restrained to the desired extent.

The plate 35 is hereshown as formed with a portion 31 which has an aperture through which is disposed a tubular rivet 33 for fastening the plate to the base. Electrical connection may be made to the plate 35 by a screw 39 cooperating with an internal thread in the tubular rivet 38, as in the case of the tubular rivets 20, 2i. Movement of the plate 35 about the tubular rivet 38 is prevented by engagement of the end 34 of the pin 32 with the sides of the aperture 36, or any other suitable means may be provided for that purpose.

The switch is provided with reciprocable operating means, here shown as including an elongated plate 40, one end of which has a tongue 4| extending through an aperture in the end of a cylindrical cap 42, the tongue having its end 43 riveted. The other end 44 of the elongated plate 49 is here shown as oi reduced width and extending through an aperture 45 in the plate Ill. The reduction in width provides a shoulder 45, adapted to engage the plate ID. V

Pivotally mounted on the end 44 oi! the operating plate 40 is actuating means 41 comprising 3 a generally T-shaped member of insulating material including a cross-bar portion 48 and a stem portion 49. The cross-bar 48 has an aperture through which is disposed the shank 50 of a pivot pin having a head 5|. The end 52 of the shank 50 is peened over or riveted, the actuating means 41 being, however, left free to swing about the pivot pin 50. Desirably a metal plate 53 is interposed between the head 5i and the cross-bar 48, to reduce wear. The plate 53 may have a projection the end 54 of which is bent into a hole 55 in the stem 49, to prevent turning of the wear plate 53. I The cross-bar 48 preferably has beveled corners 56, 51. The end of the stem 49 of the T-shaped actuating means for a V-shaped notch having surfaces 58, 59.

Means is provided to bias the operating means into the position shown in Figure 1, this means being here shown as a helical spring 60 surroundingthe operating plate 40 and at one end engaging the inside of the end of the cap 42, and at the other end, the plate It]. Desirably the spring 60 is disposed in a tube 6| fastened in any suitable way to the plate Ill. The cap 42 fits slidably over the free end of the tube Bl. It will be evident that the spring 60, in biasing the operating plate 40 to the position shown in Figure 1, also holds the fiat end surface of the cross-bar 48 :of the actuating means 41 in engagement with the plate ill, and hence holds the actuating means 41 in the position shown in that figure.

Means is provided so that successive movements of the operating plate 40 from the normal position shown in Figure .1 into operating position causes the actuating means 41 successively to move the relatively movable contact means I4 from one of its positions to the other, this means comprising a pair of pins or projections 62, 63 secured on the relatively movable contact means I4 in any suitable way and extending away therefrom in the general direction of the axis of the pivot pin 32. The pins 62, 63 extend into the path of movement of the actuating means 41 as may be most clearly seen in Figure 2, and are circumierentially, desirably'equally, spaced from a diameter' defining the center of the contact II.

The pins 62, 63 are here shown as disposed on a pair of projections extending radially outwardly from the central portion of the relatively movable contact means l4 and pIOVldiIlg stop surfaces 64, 65 which are adapted to engage a stationary stop 66 suitably carried by the plate 35 and extending laterally therefrom.

'The operation of theswitch is as follows. If the parts are in the position shown in Figure l and the cap 42 is moved toward the left, as viewed in that figure, against the bias of the spring 60, the operatingplate 40 will move the actuating means 41 toward the left and the surface 58 of the notch in the stem 49 will engage the pin 62. Further movement of the cap 42 will cause the actuating means 41 to swing clockwise about the pivot pin 50 until the pin 62 is in engagement with both of the surfaces 58, 59, and still further movement will cause the actuating means to move the relatively movable contact means l4 about its pivot pin 32 in a counter-clockwise direction. As the relatively movable contact l'l wipes counter-clockwise along the relatively stationary contact I5 it presses that contact downwardly slightly against the upward bias of the contact, and then engages the beveled portion of the relatively stationary contact l5 and presses that contact downwardly against the upward bias of the contact. In the mid-position of the relatively movable contact I? it engages both of the relatively stationary contacts l5, l6. As the relatively movable contact ll moves still further in a counter-clockwise direction, it leaves the relatively stationary contact l5 which then springs into the position shown in Figure 4, in which the stop portion 30 engages the base l2.

The counter-clockwise movement of the relatively movable contact ll continues until the parts assume the position shown i Figures 3 and 4. In this position further movement of the operating plate 48 is stopped by engagement of the shoulder 46 with the plate 10.

The desired movement of the switch having been accomplished the cap 42 is released whereupon the spring 60 returns the operatin plate 40 toward the right as viewed in Figure 3, and when the beveled surface 56 engages the plate ill the actuating means 41 will be returned to the position shown in Figure 1, the relatively movable switch means M of course remaining in the Dosition shown in Figures 3 and 4.

If now the cap 42 is again moved against the bias of the spring 60, the surface 59 of the notch in the actuating means 41 will engage the pin 63 and the relatively movable contact I! will be moved clockwise from the position shown in Figure 3, into the position shown in Figure 1.

It will be apparent that when the relatively movable contact H is in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, clockwise movement (as viewed in Figure 3) is frictionally resisted, and, on the other hand, there is a tendency of the relatively stationary contact Hi to 'move the relatively m0v able contact I! counter-clockwise, so that vibration of the switch will not tend to move the relatively movable contact I 1 off of the relatively stationary contact 16 toward the relatively stationary contact I 5. Movement of the relatively movable contact I! in the counter-clockwise direction in Figure 3 (toward the right as viewed in Figure 4) is stopped by engagement of the surface 65 with the stop 66. In like manner, when the contact l I is in the position shown in Figure 1, counter-clockwise movement is frictionally resisted by the contact I5, and, on the other hand, the relatively stationary contact l5 tends to move, the reltively movable contact I! clockwise, and such movement is stopped by engagement of the surface 64 with the stop 66. Hence, the relatively movable contact ll, havin been moved into either the position shown in Figure l or in Figure 4, will remain in these respective positions until moved by the actuating means 41, This construction eliminates the need for a separate spring and other cooperating parts for holding the relatively movable contact H in its respective positions, thus greatly simplifying the switch. The only spring required is the sprin 60 for returning the operating means to its normal position.

The electrical connections of the switch for controlling the headlights of an automotive vehicle have not been shown, for the reason that those skilled in art will understand that when the contact I! is in one of its positions the connections are such that the headlights will be dim, or the beam tilted, and in the other position the headlights will be bright, or the beam straight ahead. i

It will be evident that the present construction provides a switch whereby the headlights are never out during the change from one condition to the other, since the contact ll bridges the contacts l5, IS in its mid-position.

It will of course be apparent that a switch embodying the present invention maybe used for any other desired purpose.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of the invention provides a new and improved electric switch, of few parts, easily and cheaply made and assemblable, and yet efficient, and accordingly, accomplishes the principal object of the invention. On the other hand, it also will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the illustrated embodiment of the invention may be variously changed and modified, or features thereof, singly or collectively, embodied in other combinations than that illustrated, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or sacrificing all or the advantages thereof, and that accordingly the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and the invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. An electric switch, comprising: relatively stationary contact means; cooperating'relatively movable contact means constructed and arranged for movement about a pivot from a first position to a second position; projections on said relatively .movable contact means extending therefrom in the general direction of the axis of the pivot thereof; reciprocable operating means mounted for movement from a normal position into an operating position; actuating means, including a cam member pivotally carried by said operating means, so constructed and arranged that it has an intermediate position between two operating positions; and said actuating means and said pro- J'ections being relatively so constructed and arranged that successive movements of said operating means into operating position causes said cam member successively to engage said projections respectively successively to move said relatively movable contact means from one of its positions to the other.

2. An electric switch, comprising: relatively stationary contact means; cooperating relatively movable contact means constructed and arranged for movement about a pivot from a first position to a second position; projections on said relatively movable contact means extending therefrom in the general direction of the axis of the pivot thereof; reciprocable operating means mounted for movement from a normal position into an operating position; actuating means, including a cam member pivotally carried by said operating means, said cam member having a V-shaped notch and being so constructed and arranged that it has an intermediate position between two operating positions; and said actuating means and said projections being relatively so constructed and arranged that successive movements of said op rating means into oper i g position causes said V-shaped notch successively to engage said projections respectively successively to move said relatively movable contact means from one of its positions to the other.

3. An electric switch, comprising: relatively stationary contact means, including leaf spring contacts; cooperating relatively movable contact means, including a contact constructed and arranged for sliding engagement with said leaf spring contacts from a first position in which said relatively movable contact is inengagement with one of said leaf spring contacts to a second position in which said relatively movable contact is in engagement with the other of said leaf spring contacts; and said leaf spring contacts and said relatively movable contact being so constructed and arranged thatas said relatively movable contact moves away from either of said positions the leaf spring contact with which it is in engagement is flexed to increase the force of engagement between said relatively movable contact and the respective leaf spring contact.

4. An electric switch, comprising: relatively stationary contact means, including leaf spring contacts; cooperating relatively movable contact means, including a contact constructed and arranged for sliding engagement with said leaf spring contacts from a first position in which said relatively movable contact is in engagement with one of said leaf spring contacts to a second position in which said relatively movable contact is in engagement with the other of said leaf spring contacts; said leaf spring contacts and said relatively movable. contact being so constructed and arranged that as said relatively movable contact moves away from either of said positions the leaf spring contact with which it is in engagement is flexed to increase the force of engagement between said relatively movable contact and the respective leaf spring contact; reciprocable operating means mounted for movement from a normal position into an operating position; actuating means, carried by said operating means, so constructed and arranged that it has an intermediate position between two operating positions; means whereby successive movements of said operating means from normal position into operating position causes said actuating means successively to move said relatively movable contact means from one of its positions to the other; biasing means; and said biasing means and said operating means and said actuating means being relatively so constructed and arranged that said biasing means biases said operating means to said normal position and biases said actuating means to said intermediate position by movement of said operating means into normal position.

5. An electric switch, comprising: relatively stationary contact means, including a leaf spring contact; cooperating relatively movable contact means, including a contact constructed and arranged for sliding engagement with said leaf spring contact and movable in a first direction from a first position in which said relatively movable contact is in engagement with said leaf spring contact to a second position in which said relatively movable contact is out of engagement with said leaf spring contact; and said leaf spring contact and said relatively movable contact being so constructed and arranged that when said relatively movable contact is in said first position said leaf spring contact tends to cause movement of said relatively movable contact in a second direction opposite from said first direction; and

means for stopping movement of said relatively movable contact in said second direction.

WILLIAM SCHMID.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

